Device for opening tear strip type containers

ABSTRACT

A device for opening tear strip type containers having a flat elongated body with a downwardly extending foot on one end, and an enlarged head on the other end with a vertically disposed cylindrical opening therethrough. A &#39;&#39;T&#39;&#39; shaped key has a rod rotatably supported in the cylindrical opening, and a transverse pin through the upper end for applying a turning force to the key. The rod has thereon a series of spaced annular grooves and a diametrical slot in the lower end for holdably engaging the free end of a tear strip so that it can be coiled around the rod. A spring loaded detent in the enlarged head selectively engages the spaced annular grooves so that the rod can be vertically adjusted to the elevation of the tear strip on any conventional container.

United States Patent Carlson Dec. 2, 1975 [76] Inventor: Maurice F. Carlson, 6345 Oakman Blvd., Dearborn, Mich. 48126 [22] Filed: Mar. 14, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 558,483

[521 US. Cl. 220/275 [51] Int. Cl. B65D 41/32 {58] Field of Search 220/274, 275, 284, 85 D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,734,655 2/1956 Carlson et al 220/275 2,811,278 10/1957 Marvin 220/275 3,081,903 3/1963 Karalus 220/275, 3,224,018 12/1965 Chadwick 220/275 X DEVICE FOR OPENING TEAR STRIP TYPE CONTAINERS Primary Examiner-William Price Assistant ExaminerSteven M. Pollard Attorney, Agent, or FirmAdolph G. Martin [57] ABSTRACT A device for opening tear strip type containers having a flat elongated body with a downwardly extending foot on one end, and an enlarged head on the other end with a vertically disposed cylindrical opening therethrough. A T shaped key has a rod rotatably supported in the cylindrical opening, and a transverse pin through the upper end for applying a turning force to the key. The rod has thereon a series of spaced annular grooves and a diametrical slot in the lower end for holdably engaging the free end of a tear strip so that it can be coiled around the rod. A spring loaded detent in the enlarged head selectively engages the spaced annular grooves so that the rod can be vertically adjusted to the elevation of the tear strip on any conventional container.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures e I6 I52 29 U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 HI II- DEVICE FOR OPENING TEAR STRIP TYPE CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to can openers, but more particularly to a device for removing the tear strip from containers for canned goods such as meat and coffee. Such containers are customarily provided with an attached key which can be disengaged from the container, and secured to a tab on the free end of the tear strip. The key is then turned so as to wind the tear strip therearound until it is completely removed from the container. To perform this operation successfully, the key must be continuously held at the same elevation. If the key is permitted to move either upwardly or downwardly as it is being turned, the tear strip will commence a second coil around the key.

When this occurs, it is advisable to unwind the tear strip from the key and try again to form a single coil, by endeavoring to hold the key at a fixed elevation. If several attempts must be made before the tear strip can be wound in a single coil around the key, it may result in injury to the hands of the person opening the container. It can also cause the tear strip to break, thereby making removal of the remaining portion of the tear strip from the container even more hazardous and difficult. Fully cognizant of these considerations, the applicant has developed a device for removing such tear strips, which fully protects the hands, and holds the key at a fixed elevation during the entire winding operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention consists of an elongated flat body having on one end thereof a downwardly extending foot 12, and on the other end an enlarged head 14 with a vertically disposed cylindrical opening 16 therethrough. A T shaped key 18 has a rod rotatably supported in the cylindrical opening 16 with a transverse pin 26 adjacent the upper end thereof, and a diametral slot 22 in the lower end. A plurality of longitudinally spaced annular grooves 24 are provided on the rod 20 of the T shaped key 18. A ball detent 30, in the enlarged head 14, is yieldably held in selective supportive engagement with the longitudinally spaced annular grooves 24 by a coiled spring 32.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the applicants device applied to a tear strip type container 38 to illustrate the manner in which it is used.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the applicants device, showing the T shaped key 18 rotatably supported in the enlarged head 14.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, taken substantially on plane 3-3 in FIG. 2, showing the characteristic shape of the elongated flat body 10 and the enlarged head 14.

FIG. 4 is a section view, taken substantially on plane 4-4 in FIG. 3, showing the longitudinally spaced annular grooves 24 on the rod 20 and the spring loaded ball detent 30.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing structural details of the ball detent 30, coiled spring 32 and retainer screw 34 in the enlarged head 14.

FIG. 6 is a section view, taken substantially on plane 6-6 in FIG. 2, showing the downwardly extending foot 12 on the elongated flat body 10.

CONSTRUCTION erence is made to-the drawing in which numeral 10 designates an elongated flat body having on one end thereof a downwardly'ex'tending foot 12, and on the other end an enlargedhead l4, with a vertically disposed cylindrical opening 16 therethrough. A "T shaped key 18 has a rod 20 rotatably supported in the vertically disposed cylindrical opening 16. The rod 20 has a diametral slot 22 in the lowerend, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular grooves 24 on the central portion.

A transverse pin 26 is provided through the upper end of the rod 20. A laterally disposed threaded opening 28 in the enlarged head 14 has therein a ball detent 30 for selectively engaging the longitudinally spaced annular grooves 24 on the rod 20. A coiled spring 32 in the threaded opening 28 yieldably urges the ball detent 30 into the vertically disposed cylindrical opening 16 in the enlarged head 14. A retainer screw 34 adjustably holds the coiled spring 32 in the threaded opening 28.

The preceding discussion completes a description of the structure characterizing the single preferred embodiment of the applicants invention herein disclosed; however, to facilitate a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, a discussion of the manner in which the device is used to fulfill its intended function is immediately hereinafter set forth.

USE AND OPERATION In use, the applicants device is placed on a tear strip type container 38 in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The T shaped key 18 is then vertically adjusted to the elevation of the tear strip 42 on the container 38. The diametral slot 22 in the lower end of the rod 20 is next engaged on the tab 40 customarily provided on the free end of the tear strip 42. The T shaped key 18 is then rotated in a clockwise direction, as indicated in FIG. 1, so as to wind the tear strip 42 around the rod 20 as it is removed from the container 38.

When the tear strip 42 has been completely torn from the container 38, the top 44 is lifted so that the contents may be removed. The coiled tear strip 42, which has been wound around the rod 20 of the T shaped key 18, is then removed and discarded with the empty container 38, and the applicants device is again ready for use.

Based upon the foregoing discussion, the applicant is of the opinion that his invention has fulfilled a long-felt need in the field of can openers for tear strip type containers, and that he has accordingly made a valuable contribution to the related art. The invention, however, was described with reference to the structural details of only a single embodiment, but it will be appreciated by those familiar with the art that the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other practical adaptations.

I therefore claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A device for opening tear strip type containers comprising an elongated body, a downwardly extending foot on one end of the elongated body, a head on the other end of the elongated body with a vertically disposed cylindrical opening therethrough, a rod rotatably supported in the vertically disposed cylindrical 2. The device of claim 1 in which the means for applying a turning force to the rod consists of a transverse member adjacent the upper end of the rod.

3. The device of claim 2 in which the means on the lower end of the rod for holdably engaging the tear strip consists of a diametral slot for receiving therein the free end of the tear strip. 

1. A device for opening tear strip type containers comprising an elongated body, a downwardly extending foot on one end of the elongated body, a head on the other end of the elongated body with a vertically disposed cylindrical opening therethrough, a rod rotatably supported in the vertically disposed cylindrical opening, a plurality of annular grooves on the rod, a spring loaded detent for selective supportive engagement in the annular grooves on the rod, means on the lower end of the rod for holdably engaging the free end of the tear strip on the container, and means on the other end of the rod for applying thereto a turning fOrce of sufficient magnitude to remove the tear strip from the container and coil it around the rod.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which the means for applying a turning force to the rod consists of a transverse member adjacent the upper end of the rod.
 3. The device of claim 2 in which the means on the lower end of the rod for holdably engaging the tear strip consists of a diametral slot for receiving therein the free end of the tear strip. 